Multicultural Scholastic Award Program

About MSA

The Multicultural Scholastic Award (MSA) Program is a scholarship and student retention initiative targeting academically talented students from diverse backgrounds. All UNT students are encouraged to apply. The MSA Program recruits and encourages the persistence of traditionally underrepresented students by providing financial assistance, academic support, and student development support needed for success while at the university. The MSA program is designed to assist students complete their degree, in support of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board TX60x30 initative.

The MSA Program provides annual scholarship to UNT students in four different categories:

Freshmen, UNT Undergraduate Continuing Students, Transfer Students, and Graduate Students

Contact Information

  • Sean Guinyard-MSA Coordinator
  • Phone: 940-369-7806
  • Email: oci@unt.edu

How to Join MSA

1) The Multicultural Scholastic Award Application-All applicants must fill out a brief application dependant on their classification. The most important part of the application is the MSA Essay.

2) The Multicultural Scholastic Award Essay-The Multicultural Scholastic Award Program targets academically talented students from diverse backgrounds. The application essay should provide insight into the student’s appreciation for diverse cultures within the UNT Community. MSA Scholars contribute their time and knowledge of cultural inclusivity to the local community and UNT campus. The essay is an opportunity for candidates to express their appreciation for diversity, service, and higher education. Each essay should address the following questions and prompts, and should not exceed 1,000 words. The essay should be completed and submitted in an external program (ex: Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, etc.) and uploaded utilizing the link below.

1). Write brief autobiography that describes your motivation for pursuing a college degree (bachelors, masters, or doctorate)?

2). Recipients of the Multicultural Scholastic Award are extremely active in community services on UNT's campus as well as in the Denton community. Please discuss how your community service involvement as a community member has helped your personal and professional development.

3). How has your cultural background and your involvement with diverse activities at your helped you appreciate diversity? How will these experiences help you to contribute to diverse and cultural activates at UNT?

4). How will the MSA Scholarship help you achieve your educational goals? Please do not focus on how the scholarship will benefit you financially, but rather how it will enrich your educational experience.

5). Please share any information you feel is important to the selection committee.

Special consideration will be given in all categories to first generation college students, Texas high school graduates, and students in partnering retention initiative programs. More information on those partnerships may be found below.

Campus Partners and Retention Programs

A primary focus of the MSA program is the retention of our students. To support our focus, we have created an opportunity for students to earn additional consideration toward their MSA application, through their involvement with campus partners and retention programs. These programs include the Men of Color Cohort, A Few Good Men, and the “Fortify the Leader in You” (F.L.Y) Peer Ambassador Program, TRIO, and Martial Eagles. Information on each program can be found below. If you are a current member or applicant of any of these initiatives, please send verification of your membership to outreach@unt.edu

MSA Application

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MSA Program Application

Begin your application by clicking the button below for your award category.

Incoming Freshmen Student

Deadline: Sunday, March 25, 2018
Freshman Scholarship Award: $4,000 ($1,000 annually, renewable up to 4 years)

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have a score of at least 1000 on SAT(Critical reading + Math) or 21 on the ACT. Preferably in the top 25th percentile of graduating class.
  • Must apply & be accepted to UNT.
  • Must have filed FAFSA or TASFA by March 15th.

If transferring with 29 or fewer college credit hours prior to Spring 2018, must meet entering freshman requirements and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in college work

Special consideration given to Texas high school graduates and First-Generation Students (neither parent graduated college).

Award Requirements to Maintain MSA

  • Students must be enrolled for full-time credit hours (12+ hours) during the fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Complete 25 hours of community service, described in detail during the orientation period.

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UNT Undergraduate Continuing

Deadline: Sunday, March 25, 2018
UNT Undergraduate Continuing: $1,000 (1 year award, $500 per semester)

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be currently enrolled at UNT.
  • Must have a 3.0 GPA
  • Must have completed 30 UNT college credit hours.

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Incoming Transfer Student

Supporting the 60x30 TX Plan set by the THECB

Deadline: Friday, June 1, 2018
Transfer Award: $2,000 (2 year award, $500 each semester)    

Eligibility Requirements

  • If you have completed at least one academic semester at UNT, please use the Continuing MSA application.
  • Must complete 30 credit hours by the conclusion of the Spring 2018 semester with a minimum GPA of 3.0 
  • Must have completed the application for admissions to UNT.
  • Must be admitted to UNT.

Award Requirements to Maintain MSA Award

  • Students must be enrolled for full-time credit hours (12+ hours) during the  fall and spring semesters.
  •  Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  •  Complete 25 hours of community service, described in detail during the orientation.

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Current and Continuing Graduate Student

Supporting the 60x30 TX Plan set by the THECB

Deadline: Sunday, March 25, 2018
Graduate/Doctoral: $3,000 (2 year award, $750 each semester)      

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Master's or Doctorate level student.
  • Must have been accepted to UNT Toulouse Graduate School before you apply.
  • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.5

Award Requirements to Maintain MSA

  • Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate hours during the fall & spring semester.
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.
  • Complete 25 hours of community service, described in detail during the orientation period.

If you are in the dissertation stage your award will be reduced to $2,000.00 ($500.00/ per semester).

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